Well it’s just a lovely little Thursday over here this morning. How are things going in your neck of the woods? Great? Wonderful? Awesome?
So I haven’t really been coming back for many evening posts this week because, well, dinner hasn’t been super exciting and I haven’t had all that much to talk about. Instead, I’ve been spending some time away from my desk and enjoying leftovers and recipe experiments for dinners.
Like last night…
We still had a couple of leftover pork chops from Tuesday’s’ dinner, so I reheated those and paired them with a few recipes I had been playing around with this week.
The green you see there is my first ever attempt at creamed spinach. Umm…that stuff is GOOD. Have you ever tried it??
The other mound of fluffy stuff would be another first attempt for me: mashed potatoes and cauliflower.
I was so pleasantly surprised by these. Even Jay, my lovely picky eater, enjoyed them and didn’t even notice there was cauliflower in them…that is, until I told him. Then he’s all like, “yeahhh, I thought I tasted something different?!?”
Sure babe. Sure.
I had a couple things to run out for after dinner (including getting to meet quickly with my bestie, Heather!) then came back home and enjoyed a relaxing evening on the couch with a delicious small dish of ice cream. It was fabulous.
*****
This morning, I’m not even kidding you when I tell you that you NEED to make this breakfast.
I know that I already have a recipe for pumpkin oats here on the blog, but today’s bowl easily surpassed my old standby…and that would be thanks to the addition of egg whites. It’s amazing what they do to your oats…thick, custard-like, and totally amazing.
I’ve done the egg whites in the oats before (like with my Mixed Berry French Toast Oatmeal), but it’s been a while. Thank goodness Ashley reminded me to do it again!
Here’s what I used…
Creamy Pumpkin Custard Oats
- 1/3 cup oats
- 1/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1/3 – 2/3 cup water
- 2 tsp chia seeds
- 1/2 mashed banana
- 1/4 cup egg whites
- 1/4 – 1/3 cup pumpkin
- cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice
- Various Toppings: raisins, chopped nuts, granola, nut butter, maple syrup
Combine oats, milk, water, and chia seeds in saucepot on stovetop. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, stir in remaining ingredients. Continue stirring occasionally until desired consistency is reached. Top with lots of goodies and enjoy!
My toppings for today included raisins, Love Grown Foods granola, and a drizzle of maple syrup. It was, by far, the best bowl of pumpkin oats I’ve ever had – so please, you have got to make these, STAT.
And with that, I’m off! Have a great day, everyone!
Question for the Morning:
There’s only 10 days left in September…what are you going to do to make it great? Any fun activities? Travel plans?
Presley @ Run Pretty says
haha Jay sounds like my husband!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Haha Cody would’ve responded the same exact way about the cauliflower in the mashed potatoes. Too funny!
Take out the raisins and add in an entire egg, and we had pretty much the same exact breakfast yesterday! And I’d have to agree – best bowl of oatmeal I’ve had in awhile. ;)
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
Those pumpkin oats sound delicious! I’ve never tried adding egg whites to oats before. I might need to give it a try! :)
Katie | wholelivingimprint.tumblr.com says
I love pumpkin!!! Looks soo good! I enjoyed a tastyyyy bowl of overnight oats this morning when I got home from my run, but I need to add pumpkin to the next batch!
Beks says
That sounds so good! And perfect for fall!
I’m actually going to St. Louis to a wedding tomorrow (Driving to KC tonight), and it’s also my birthday weekend, so I get to spend my 27th with my college girlfriends! So excited!
chelcie @ chelcie's food files says
mmm i will definitely be trying that recipe! I’m sure it would be delicious with some added pumpkin butter on top as well :)
Mallory says
I had these this morning!! Minus the banana, though, that sounds delish. It’s amazing how the pumpkin makes them SO voluminous… I only used 1/2 cup oats, 1/3 cup pumpkin, and about 1/4 cup egg whites and I was stuffed to the brim. Adding a tbsp of half and half right on top makes them extra creamy and delicious!
Lindsey says
We are going to the mountains this weekend to celebrate our anniversary! So excited! I cannot believe its the 20th of Sept already though!?
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I’m ending out my September with my first race – a 5k and I’m so excited!
Elaine says
Oh those pumpkin oats looks amazing. I make oatmeal every day and have made a pumpkin pie kind, but have never thought to add egg whites. Must give this a try! And I’m going to the mountains this weekend to go hiking and visit a winery or two. The perfect way to celebrate the beginning of fall :)
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
So, a can of pumpkin has officially been added to the grocery list.
I’ve only had creamed spinach a handful of times, but I do remember it being delicious!
Natalie @ Free Range Human says
I’m definitely making those for breakfast tomorrow. Yay for all things pumpkin! The rest of September is going to be great because I have family coming to town the next two weekends :)
Whitney says
Hubs turns the big 3 0 at the end of this month and I am throwing a surprise partay for him with friends and family!! Can.not. wait! On that note, I am very surprised that I have not spilled the beans. I am not good at keeping secrets!! :)
Janae @ Bring-Joy says
I’m going to spending as much time as possible outside with my kids, before the weather turns cold!
Angel says
Hahaha…you’re husband sounds like my husband! Men! ;)
Going away with the fam for a weekend trip, sooo excited!!
Rebecca W. says
Egg whites are the best “discovery” I have ever made when it comes to my oatmeal — I add them no matter what flavor I make! This morning I made Apple Pie Oatmeal, with a chopped up apple, cinnamon, nutmeg, and egg whites. Then I topped it off with some PB2 — DELISH! But now I want pumpkin oats again… :)
Rachel says
I just bought a can of pumpkin last weekend :D I love pumpkin oats haha
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
Your breakfast looks like the perfect combination of Fall flavors, and I totally agree that adding egg whites to oatmeals gives it the perfect consistency… I’ve been doing it for years now and it still rocks my socks off. I’m having a hard time believing that September is almost over, and that Fall officially hits this weekend. Nothing too major planned, since I just got back from Cali a few days ago, but I want to spend as much time outside enjoying the beautiful Fall colors before the weather gets too cold.
Khushboo says
I can’t oatmeal without egg whites any more..and that has nada to do with protein, they just make it taste so much better!
Erica {EricaDHouse.com} says
Ahh don’t remind me September is almost over! This year is going by WAY to fast!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Yum! I love pumpkin oatmeal, it’s one of my favorites!!! The eggs make it so creamy!!
stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction says
I’ve never added egg whites into my oats before, what a great idea! I love the fact that pumpkin is back in season!!! Not too much on the books for the rest of September just trying to enjoy the last few spring like days we have :)
kim@hungryhealthygirl says
Egg whites in oats is super yummy. I’ll have to give your best ever pumpkin oats a try….I’m loving all things pumpkin these days!
Meghan @ After the Ivy League says
I have big plans of adding pumpkin to my standard oats recipe this weekend, but after reading this, I think I’m on board with the egg white action too. I tried it once before with little success, I think because I was lazy and tried it in the microwave. It’s time to try it again!
Katy says
mmm looks amazing!! Can’t wait to try it tomorrow
Danielle@cleanfoodcreativefitness says
That oatmeal sounds amazing! I will definitely have to try it! I can’t wait for the cauliflower mash either! It looks great! Perfect for the picky eater too cause you can’t tell there’s extra veggies in there!
Chelsea Lords says
Wow those pumpkin oats sound delicious! I can’t wait for tomorrow to make them! :)
Andrea @ Vegvacious says
I’ve just recently seen oatmeal recipes that include egg whites – I am definitely going to have to give it a try! One thing I’m hoping we’ll be able to do is go to a local farm to pick out some pumpkins and squashes so I can make my own pumpkin puree for recipes like this!
Faith @ The Cheap Girl's Guide to Chic says
I’m eating creamed spinach as we speak (type?). SO good. A Nutritionist Eats has a recipe for creamed kale that I’ve been dying to try too – that one’s definitely up next on my list of things to recreate!
Shannon says
I’m going to the Big E in Springfield, Mass. Saturday! :)
Jolynn says
Mmm they sound delish!
Danielle @ Itsaharleyyylife says
that oatmeal looks so good!
Lauren says
Egg Whites really do make the best oats. I added some to my bowl this morning and was amazed at the creamy custard like texture. Now I just need to get on the pumpkin train and I’m set. :)
Tara says
mmm gotta love pumpkin and oats! My go-to breakfast this week has been pumpkin overnight oats…sooo good especially with Peanut Butter & Co’s cinnamon raisin swirl pb…gotta try it :)
Annette@FitnessPerks says
My husband would’ve done the EXACT same thing. Haha.
Gotta love a good dinner that turns out ;)
I am not a oatmeal fan. It just never sounds appealing in the morning. I know, WEIRD. hah
Tiff (@LoveSweatBeers) says
Mmmm, I’ve never put egg whites in oats, but I do love pumpkin in them. I also am a big fan of cauliflower and potatoes. I served them at Thanksgiving last year and no one seemed to notice.
Claire @ Keeping Up With Claire says
These custard oats are everywhere I look these days! I’ve been a little wary of adding egg whites to my oats, but I think I’m going to have to take the plunge and see what this is all about. You haven’t steered me wrong yet, so I’m trusting you!
Michelle@Peachy Palate says
That’s my go to pumpkin oat recipe (minus the egg white and + another 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree :) ) Nothing more comforting, especially amazing with toasted pecans and pecan nut butter!!!
Lisa says
I love adding egg whites to pumpkin oats. I always leave mine overnight though, I like the taste better after they’ve been in the fridge! For some odd reason…
I’m so excited for September to end, since my birthday is on the first:)
I do hope to get my house decorate before October hits though!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Why oh WHY have I forgotten to put maple syrup in my pumpkin oats!?!??!
Gina @ Health, Love, and Chocolate says
The oatmeal look delish, it’s definitely time for me to start adding pumpkin to my oats as well!
Bek @ Crave says
I’m traveling to my bf’s parents for the long weekend shortly- I can’t wait. It’s a great chance to see them and realise and unwind away from all the hustle and bustle. Ps. I am not a pumpkin fan- seems it isn’t crazy over here like you yanks ;)
Julissa says
I am pumpkin obsessed so I had to try this… in fact, I’m eating it as I type and I put my oats in a just-about-empty container of cookie butter from Trader Joe’s. I am in heaven! Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer says
I just made these pumpkin oats and they are FANTASTIC!!! I am such a fan!!! I am going to have to spread the word about these!! Thanks for sharing